The American Wild West produced some of the most infamous figures in United States history. During the mid-to-late 19th century, rapid westward expansion, weak law enforcement, and vast frontier territories created conditions where crime could flourish.
Bank robbers, train thieves, gunfighters, and resistance leaders became legends of the frontier. Their stories spread through newspapers, dime novels, and later popular culture, shaping how the Wild West is remembered today.
Note: This hub highlights ten of the most famous Wild West outlaws. Detailed articles are currently available for selected figures, with additional profiles being added over time.
1. Butch Cassidy
Butch Cassidy, born Robert LeRoy Parker, was one of the most famous outlaws of the American West. He led a criminal gang known as the Wild Bunch, which specialized in bank robberies and train hold-ups across several western states.
Cassidy adopted his surname in tribute to his mentor, Mike Cassidy, who taught him how to shoot and survive as an outlaw. For more than a decade, he successfully evaded capture despite intense pursuit by law enforcement agencies.
Eventually, mounting pressure forced him to flee the United States with his close associate, Harry Longabaugh, better known as the Sundance Kid. The two traveled to Argentina and later Bolivia, where they are believed to have died during a shootout with police in 1908.
2. The Sundance Kid
Harry Alonzo Longabaugh, known as the Sundance Kid, earned his nickname after being arrested for horse theft in Sundance, Wyoming. After his release from prison, he joined forces with Butch Cassidy and became a key member of the Wild Bunch gang.
He participated in a long series of successful bank and train robberies, gaining national notoriety. Numerous wanted posters were circulated, offering large rewards for information leading to his capture.
Like Cassidy, relentless pursuit by law enforcement forced him to flee the country. He is believed to have died alongside Cassidy in Bolivia in 1908, ending one of the most famous outlaw partnerships in Wild West history.
3. Billy the Kid
Billy the Kid, born Henry McCarty (also known as William H. Bonney), was one of the most legendary figures of the Wild West. Active primarily in New Mexico Territory, he became infamous for his involvement in the Lincoln County War.
Billy was accused of killing multiple men before the age of 21 and became a symbol of frontier lawlessness. He was repeatedly arrested but escaped custody several times.
In 1881, he was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett, cementing his place as one of the most enduring legends of the Old West.
4. Cherokee Bill
Cherokee Bill, born Crawford Goldsby, was one of the most feared outlaws in the Indian Territory during the 1890s. Of mixed African American and Native American heritage, he led a violent gang responsible for numerous robberies and murders.
After more than two years of terrorizing the region, Cherokee Bill was captured and taken to Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was convicted and executed by hanging in March 1896.
5. Felipe Espinosa
Felipe Espinosa was a Mexican-American outlaw responsible for a brutal murder spree in Colorado Territory during the early 1860s. He is often considered one of America’s earliest serial killers.
Espinosa claimed that land grants promised to his family had been violated and directed his rage toward settlers in the region. Along with his brother, he murdered dozens of victims before being tracked down.
Legendary frontiersman Tom Tobin eventually located Espinosa, killing him in a gunfight and ending one of the most violent episodes of frontier history.
6. Henry Newton Brown
Henry Newton Brown embodied the blurred line between lawman and outlaw in the Old West. He was a member of Billy the Kid’s gang, known as the Regulators, and took part in the violent Lincoln County War in New Mexico.
After fleeing the territory, Brown later became a town marshal in Kansas. Despite serving as a lawman, he returned to crime and attempted a bank robbery in 1884.
Captured and imprisoned, Brown was killed while attempting to escape after a lynch mob gathered outside the jail, bringing his turbulent life to a violent end.
7. William “Curly Bill” Brocius
William “Curly Bill” Brocius was a gunman and outlaw active in Arizona Territory during the 1880s. He was associated with cattle rustling, robberies, and violent confrontations.
Brocius was implicated in the assassination of Morgan Earp, which led to his pursuit by Wyatt Earp and his posse. He was killed during a shootout in 1882.
8. Cole Younger
Cole Younger was a former Confederate guerrilla who later became a leading member of the James–Younger Gang. Along with his brothers, he carried out numerous train and bank robberies across the Midwest.
In 1876, a bank robbery attempt in Minnesota failed disastrously. While the James brothers escaped, the Younger brothers were captured. Cole Younger was sentenced to life in prison, though he was later released.
9. Jesse James
Jesse James remains one of the most famous outlaws in American history. A former Confederate soldier, he led the James–Younger Gang and became nationally known for daring robberies.
As pressure from law enforcement increased, James became increasingly paranoid. In 1882, he was shot and killed by Robert Ford, a gang member hoping to collect the reward offered for his capture.
10. Black Bart
Black Bart, born Charles E. Boles, was one of the most unusual and famous outlaws of the American Wild West. Active primarily in California during the 1870s and 1880s, he specialized in stagecoach robberies.
Unlike many outlaws of his time, Black Bart avoided violence. He typically worked alone, carried unloaded weapons, and relied on intimidation rather than bloodshed. He became widely known for leaving short poems at the scenes of his crimes, which fascinated newspapers and the public.
After committing more than two dozen robberies, Black Bart was eventually captured in 1883 and sentenced to prison. His strange methods and literary flair made him one of the most distinctive figures of the Wild West era.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wild West Outlaws
Who was the most famous Wild West outlaw?
Jesse James is often considered the most famous outlaw of the American Wild West, known for his role in the James–Younger Gang and his enduring place in American folklore.
Why was crime so common in the Wild West?
Crime flourished due to rapid westward expansion, weak law enforcement, isolated settlements, and vast territories that were difficult to police effectively.
Were Wild West outlaws considered heroes?
Some outlaws were romanticized in newspapers and dime novels, but most were violent criminals whose actions caused fear and instability across frontier communities.
Did any Wild West outlaws escape justice?
While many were killed or imprisoned, some outlaws evaded capture for years, and a few disappeared into obscurity after abandoning their criminal lives.
